We now spotlight Axel Lindsay of Greely who was the 2017 Class A Slalom state champion. We asked him about his first run tie, his favorite thing about skiing 
and his future plans.
1) What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?
I worked hard all season to get to the state meet but my plan just before the race was pretty simple - just relax and ski the way I knew how to do.
2) How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
I just tried to be as relaxed as I could be. The less tense I am, the better I ski.
3) What was going through your mind at the starting gate knowing that the conditions were soft and warm?
Knowing I was tied after first run, I knew I couldn't go as aggressively as I could have if I was in 4th or 5th. I just had to lay down a fast competitive run .
4) You were tied for first place after the first run of the slalom. When you finished the 2nd run and found out that you won, what was your reaction?
Right after I finished my 2nd run, I was happy with it. It was clean and fast. I never hear my time when I'm in the finish line, and this was no exception. I waited until Devon went to go and check. I knew it would be close because of the identical times first time around. I cannot express in words how happy I was once I saw that I had taken the lead. I couldn't stop smiling.
5) What are some of your best memories from ski racing this past season?
One of my best memories from this past year was watching both of my younger siblings get into the competitive mindset that I had. It will be fun to watch them progress through the next few years and see what they can do. Nothing beats that.
6) What is your favorite part about skiing and ski racing?
The best thing about skiing is that it's a life long sport. It gives you the ability to travel anywhere in the world and see some mind-blowing places. Ski racing brings all that into play along with the mental and physical nature of the sport. The goal is pretty simple - go as fast as you can from point A to point B.
7) What are your plans for next year?
I will be heading to college in the fall. I'm looking forward to seeing what life will be like after high school. Whatever happens, skiing will always be a part of my life.
8) What were your goals for this season and did you achieve them?
My goals this season were to have fun and to win a state championship. I worked hard all last summer saving money for race entry fees, gear and travel, so that I could also race outside of the high school races to better myself. I also picked up cross country last fall and swam with the swim team this winter to keep my fitness levels up. Sometimes the weird things make it happen. I've been on the podium before at a state meet, just never on top. So that felt pretty good. Plus it's not a bad way to send off my senior year.